What is happening in Third Grade?

The Major Work in Third Grade Mathematics: Operations and Algebraic ThinkingRepresent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.Understand properties of multiplication and the relationship between multiplication and division.Multiply and divide within 100.Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic.Number and Operations--FractionsDevelop understanding of fractions as numbers. Measurement and DataSolve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects.Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition.

You can learn about what mathematical ideas your child is working on by exploring the resources found in each of the nine weeks below. You will find video clips, examples of student work, and games/activities to try at home!

First QuarterDuring the first nine weeks, your third graders will be extending ideas about the structure of the place value system, adding and subtracting using strategies based on place value. They will build an understanding of the relationship between addition and subtraction as they build computational fluency. They will develop mental math strategies with an emphasis on making reasonable estimates. The use of accessible algorithms that highlight place value and algebraic ideas is the focus of this work. Students will study the traditional US algorithms in fourth grade after they have developed a solid understanding of the ideas behind the short cuts.

Second QuarterDuring the second nine weeks, your third graders will be exploring the properties of polygons, especially quadrilaterals. Students will build an understanding of the measurement concepts of perimeter and area, and be able to distinguish between area and the linear measurement of perimeter. They will have multiple opportunities to measure the area of a shape by finding the total number of same size units. During this quarter, students will also develop an understanding of the meanings of multiplication and division of whole numbers through activities and problems involving equal-sized groups, arrays, and area models. Students investigate the properties of multiplication and division, examine the relationship between these two operations, and develop strategies for solving multiplication and division problems. (See Multiplication and Division charts below for examples of models and strategies.) After building the foundation for what it means to multiply and divide, your third graders will work on fluency with multiplication and division within 100. (See information below from the NC Standards Unpacking document. Also see "Fluency" Section on the K-5 Mathematics Home Page.)

Third QuarterDuring the third nine weeks, your third graders will be working with fraction concepts. Students will understand, represent,and combine fractions, as well as develop an understanding of fractions as numbers. Students will:

Determine a fraction’s place on a number line by defining the length from 0 to 1 as the whole and “cutting it” into equal parts

Understand two fractions as equal if they are the same size or at the same point on a number line

Compare the size of two different fractions of the same size object. For example, which is bigger, 1/8 of a pizza or 1/6 of that same pizza?

Students will also explore data concepts. They will represent data on bar graphs and picture graphs that is relevant to their lives and answer one- and two- step "how many more" and "how many less" problems using information presented in scaled graphs.

Fourth Quarter

Solution Strategies

Addition and Subtraction

Multiplication and Division

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